Ponchos are really “in” this year. Knitted or crocheted – anything goes. Have you ever knit a poncho, or do you still want to do this? Or do you find a poncho not really convenient, and not your thing?

I had not realised that ponchos are fashionable this year, even though (thanks to various blogs) I am fairly well informed about this autumn’s latest knitwear. Ponchos were also fashionable when I was a child and teenager (in the 70ies and 80ies). If I remember correctly, I might have even owned one. But not a handknitted one. My aunt did a lot of knitting for us, but she mainly knit lovely sweaters and cardigans.

It never occurred to me to knit one myself, mainly because

1) I don’t really feel like knitting large squares (even if they are great to try out different stitch pattern). For the same reason, I don’t really think of knitting a blanket.2) the hippie era ended in the 70ies (despite numerous efforts to revive it)3) I think that a poncho is simply not practical – the corners are always in the way, one can’t really carry hand bag and /or back pack with a poncho, and if the thing has pockets, they are out of reach. 4) For both myself and my daughter, I prefer cardigans – they can be tailored!

I am not a big fan of ponchos for adults, but I think they work for children. Years ago saw a French pattern for a poncho for a toddler and 20 years later knit one for my first granddaughter with the old French pattern in mind. In red fingering weight wool, hood, and fastened at the neck by a pewter clasp, it was adorable. It was easy to pop on over any outfit, and as I knit cuffs into it, it did not slide around. It also made a nice warm blanket no matter where she napped.